In the interview with Manfred Biffar, CEO of 2B+

In today's dynamic business world, companies face a variety of challenges. Ensuring continuous business operations and integrating sustainable practices are central to this. To get to the heart of these issues, we speak in an exclusive interview with Manfred Biffar, CEO of 2B+, about how effective business continuity management strengthens banks' trust and opens up better financing opportunities, the importance of reliability and compliance in the supply chain to meet the requirements of major corporations, and how companies can gain and maintain the trust of all stakeholders through solid emergency plans and transparent leadership.

Manfred Biffar has been active in his field for many years and possesses extraordinary expertise. With an impressive career and extensive experience as CEO of 2B+, he has specialized in optimizing business processes and implementing sustainable strategies. His know-how ranges from finance and compliance to human resources management, making him a sought-after speaker and consultant in the industry.

In the interview, Mr. Biffar explains how business continuity management helps entrepreneurs in the SME sector optimize their business processes and minimize risks.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: Mr. Biffar, thank you very much for taking the time for this interview. Could you first give us a brief overview of your professional career and your role as CEO of 2B+?

Manfred Biffar: My professional career began anything but ordinary. In principle, you could perhaps write about it: From the bakery to the executive chair: My journey as CEO of 2B+. In the bakery, I learned the trade from the ground up and early on discovered my passion for entrepreneurial thinking and action. This passion led me further into wholesale and foreign trade, where I deepened my knowledge of economic contexts and international business relationships.

With my training as a specialist consultant for financial services, I acquired the necessary know-how to advise people competently and reliably on complex financial issues.

But my ambition drove me further. I wanted to use my skills and experience to build something of my own and take responsibility. This is how I came to my role as CEO of 2B+.

As CEO of 2B+, I see myself responsible for clearly defining these goals, providing the necessary resources, and inspiring and motivating my team. It is important to me that everyone at 2B+ can contribute their strengths and talents and bring in their ideas and creativity.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: What do you understand by business continuity management, and why is it so important for companies, especially SMEs?

Manfred Biffar: In my many years of career, I have experienced firsthand how important comprehensive business continuity management is for companies of all sizes. Especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a well-thought-out BCM can make the difference between success and failure.

SMEs are the backbone of our economy. They create jobs, revitalize regions, and contribute to the country's innovative strength. All the more important is that these companies show resilience against crises and unexpected events.

Good business continuity management goes far beyond mere emergency planning. It considers all aspects of a company, from products and services to facility management, information security, and energy supply. Supply chains and employee knowledge also play an important role in this context.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: How can effective business continuity management improve a company’s rating with banks?

Manfred Biffar: Effective business continuity management (BCM) plays a crucial role in how rating agencies and commercial banks assess a company. These institutions evaluate companies based on a variety of factors, with risk management being a central aspect. Strong business continuity management demonstrates to rating agencies and banks that your company takes potential crises seriously and has the necessary plans and procedures in place to minimize their impact. This typically has a positive effect on your rating.

A well-established BCM improves your creditworthiness, as it signals to banks and other lenders that your company presents a lower default risk. This can lead to better credit terms and improved access to financing. Additionally, effective business continuity management can help secure lower insurance premiums. By minimizing default risks, the overall risk for insurers is reduced, which can be reflected in more favorable insurance costs.

Another key benefit of strong BCM is the increased trust from investors. Investors value the security and reduced risk that effective business continuity management brings. This can strengthen confidence in the stability and future viability of your company, positively impacting your stock price or company value.

Overall, robust business continuity management helps build trust among lenders, insurers, and investors in the stability and future viability of your company, ultimately leading to an improvement in your corporate rating.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: What role do compliance topics play for SMEs acting as suppliers to corporations, and how does business continuity management contribute to meeting these requirements?

Manfred Biffar: Compliance in the supply chain: The key role of business continuity management for SMEs

In today’s globalized world, supply chains are complex and interconnected, presenting major challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that act as suppliers to corporations. Corporations impose strict compliance requirements on their suppliers, which must be met to secure and retain contracts. These requirements include data protection, occupational health and safety, environmental protection, antitrust law, and anti-corruption measures. Failure to comply can result in contractual penalties, compensation claims, reputational damage, and even criminal prosecution.

Business continuity management (BCM) helps SMEs identify compliance risks and develop measures to minimize them, such as training and policies. BCM implements controls to monitor compliance and promotes continuous improvement of processes and procedures.

A strong BCM strengthens collaboration with corporations, as it demonstrates that SMEs recognize and meet the importance of compliance. This leads to more trusting relationships and long-term partnerships. For SMEs, it is advantageous to address these topics in advance to gain a competitive edge.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: How does a transparent leadership system support entrepreneurial freedom and delegation to key persons in your company?

Manfred Biffar: A transparent leadership system creates an environment of trust and personal responsibility. By clearly communicating my vision and strategy and providing my employees with the necessary information and resources, I gain more entrepreneurial freedom. This allows me to focus on strategic tasks and new business areas while my team makes independent decisions and successfully implements projects.

Identifying and developing key persons is a central component of transparent leadership. By recognizing the strengths and talents of my employees and assigning them tasks and responsibilities that match their abilities, I promote the skill development of these key individuals and relieve myself of operational tasks.

As a leader, I actively embody transparent leadership. I communicate openly and honestly, am accessible to my employees, and foster a culture of mutual trust. This makes my employees feel valued and motivated to take on responsibility and contribute to the company's success.

Although this process often takes years and may cost some gray hairs, the effort is worthwhile, as you ultimately reap the rewards of this bold process.

DIGITAL FUTUREmag: How can continuity management and sustainability be effectively combined in practice?

Manfred Biffar: Continuity management and sustainability: This is a winning combination. These two topics can be excellently combined in practice, as sustainability goes far beyond environmental aspects and also includes social responsibility and employee health.

Linking continuity management and sustainability offers numerous advantages. Sustainable companies are more resilient to crises and unexpected events. A responsible corporate culture and environmentally friendly practices create a stable environment and reduce costs. This leads to better preparation for unforeseen challenges and ensures long-term continuity.

For employees, sustainable companies are more attractive, which leads to higher motivation, reduced turnover, and increased productivity. A healthy work environment and sustainable practices promote employee well-being and loyalty.

Companies that take sustainability and continuity seriously have a competitive advantage. They are well-positioned to meet the challenges of the 21st century and stand out in the market from their competitors.

A key to success is transparently communicating your commitment to continuity and sustainability. This can be done through the website, annual reports, or sustainability reports and avoids the impression of greenwashing.

Companies can use the 23 points of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a guide to systematically structure and continuously improve their sustainability activities.